Sep 25, 2024

#DoCCDiaries – A taste of kindness: Kangri Dham and the universal language of food

Raunak Adak, Kashish Khemka, and Gautham Pramod, PGDM 2023-25  

In the early days of our DoCC social internship programme with the Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD), a non-profit organisation that works on rural development in Himachal Pradesh and other parts of India, we were still finding our footing in the new environment of Himachal Pradesh. Amid the busy schedules and tasks, an unexpected invitation came our way—an invitation that held within it the essence of human connection. The Director of CORD, the NGO we were partnering with, invited us to a wedding in the local community. While we didn’t have enough time to attend the wedding, we were fortunate enough to partake in something just as special: the Kangri Dham.

Kangri Dham is more than a meal. It’s a carefully crafted culinary tradition in Himachal Pradesh, where generations have passed down their recipes and rituals, each plate telling the region’s story. Prepared by traditional cooks, the feast brought together the freshest ingredients from the Himalayan foothills and the spirit of the people themselves. As I sat down on a simple leaf plate, the aromas of spices, ghee, and freshly cooked lentils mingled in the air, setting the stage for a deep, soulful experience. Dish after dish was placed in front of us—rich chickpea curry, a tangy mango powder sauce, and meethe chawal, a sweetened rice dish that felt like the perfect ending to the meal. Each bite was more than just a flavour; it was a window into the lives of the people who had made us feel at home.

As we sat there, we realised this experience was about much more than the food. It was about the people who had invited us into their lives. Complete strangers to the land and its traditions, we were welcomed with open arms as if we had always been part of their community. Their hospitality wasn’t performative; it was genuine. They didn’t know us but wanted us to feel like family. And in those moments, we did. I reflected on how this simple act of sharing a meal was such a profound symbol of human behaviour—how food, something so universal, could transcend the boundaries of language, culture, and background. We didn’t need to fully understand each other’s words because the kindness, the effort, and the warmth they offered through the meal said it all.

The Kangri Dham wasn’t just a feast; it was a bridge. A bridge that connected us, outsiders, to their world, even if only for a moment. As humans, we crave connection. In our everyday lives, we seek ways to belong, to be part of something larger than ourselves. Often, we forget that these connections can be found in the simplest gestures—in sharing a meal, offering a seat, or welcoming someone with a smile. At that Kangri Dham, we weren’t just learning about Himachali culture; we were reminded of a universal truth. When we break bread with others, when we extend warmth and hospitality, we are participating in the timeless dance of humanity—one that has the power to dissolve the boundaries we often construct between us.

We walked away from the Kangri Dham feeling full—not just from the food, but from the kindness and the reminder that sometimes the most profound human experiences are the ones that happen around a table. True cultural immersion isn’t just about observing a place from the outside; it’s about sitting down, sharing, and becoming part of it. At that moment, we were not just learning about a different culture—we were learning about the depth of human connection, one plate at a time.

Development of Corporate Citizenship (DoCC) is a novel initiative pioneered by SPJIMR more than 30 years ago, rooted in the belief that ‘Civil society is a learning mechanism’. Mandatory for all, DoCC cultivates awareness and empathy for societal issues through social internships across India and South Asia. Participants apply management skills in real-world settings, fostering reflection and learning.

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